Upholstered Seat Bench Class

What will you learn…..

In this comprehensive DIY class, you'll learn how to create and upholster your very own seat bench from scratch OR this course can be used to transform an old, worn-out piece you’ve found.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience with upholstery, you’ll receive step-by-step instructions to build a solid frame, layer upholstery materials, and finish with beautiful, tailored details. Throughout the course, you’ll learn the essential techniques needed to create a stunning and functional piece of furniture that will last for years.

✓ 10 Part Step-by-Step Video Tuition
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ On Going Support From Our Team
✓ Adapt the course for a 'non sew' project.
✓ Basic Wood Working Skills & Entry Level Upholstery

This class isn’t just for new builds; it's also perfect for reupholstering old benches or stools. The skills and techniques you’ll learn will help you breathe new life into pre-existing furniture, from choosing the right materials to creating custom finishes. You’ll be able to personalize every detail and make it your own.

As a bonus, we’ve included a "Level Up" lesson on adding a charming frilly skirt to your seat bench, giving your project a unique flair. By the end of the course, you'll have a fully upholstered, stylish bench and the confidence to tackle any future upholstery project, making this class perfect for DIY enthusiasts or anyone wanting to add a custom touch to their space.

Tools & Materials For The Class

Upholstered Seat Bench Class

How to design & construct

your seat bench.

In this class, you’ll learn how to design and construct the frame for your seat bench, ensuring it’s both sturdy and stylish. We’ll guide you through measuring, cutting, and assembling the frame step by step. Additionally, we’ll explore where to find decorative legs and feet to personalise your bench helping you add that perfect finishing touch.

In the video tutorial series, you’ll master essential skills like fixing down webbing, applying edge roll, and layering foam and wadding for a professional, comfortable finish. Each lesson is broken down into easy-to-follow steps, so you can work at your own pace and transform your furniture with confidence.

Applying Your Fabric

You will discover how to enhance your seat bench with decorative details like single welting, contrasting fabrics, and pattern-matching borders. Learn how to add welting along the edges for a sharp, clean finish or use contrasting fabric to create visual interest. We’ll also cover how to align fabric patterns on the borders, ensuring they match perfectly for a cohesive and well-finished look.

And if the idea of crafting your own single welting intrigues you, don't miss out on our dedicated Single & Double Welting / Piping Class. It's a deep dive into the art of making welting from scratch, allowing you to add a personalised touch to your upholstery projects.

You will learn how to apply fabric to your seat bench, giving it a smooth, tailored finish. Starting with measuring and cutting your fabric to the right size, you’ll then secure it over the foam and frame. The process involves stapling the fabric tightly, ensuring it’s smooth with no wrinkles, and finishing the edges neatly for a clean, secure fit. This step will bring your bench closer to its final, comfortable look.

Customise Details

Decorative

Skirt

In this optional bonus "Level Up" lesson, you’ll learn how to add a decorative frilly skirt to your seat bench for an extra touch of charm. We’ll guide you through the process of creating pleats, attaching welting, and adding a frill for a soft, flowing finish. Whether you’re looking to add texture or a playful detail, this lesson will show you how to give your bench a unique, customized look with a stylish frilly skirt.

  • Designing Your Seat Bench

    Part 1: Designing Your Seat Bench

    The first lesson of the DIY Upholstered Seat Bench class! In this lesson, we will focus on designing your seat bench to ensure it perfectly fits your space and meets your needs. We'll cover various placement options, how to adapt the design for different uses, and how to customise the dimensions and legs of your bench.

  • Seat Bench Tools & Materials

    Part 2: Tools & Materials

    We look at all the key tools and materials you will need to complete the class. You may have some tools at home but there might be some tools you need to invest in. I will then go over the upholstery materials you need to source before you begin your project.

  • Preparing Your Feet / Legs

    Part 3: Preparing Your Legs or Feet

    We focus on preparing the feet or legs of your seat bench, a crucial step for ensuring stability and enhancing the overall look. We’ll guide you through selecting stylish and finishing them for a polished appearance. You’ll also learn how to install hanger bolts for secure attachment to the frame and pre-drill holes to make the final assembly easier.

  • Preparing Your Frame

    Part 4: Constructing Your Frame

    You'll learn how to accurately measure and cut your timber to the required dimensions. By the end of this lesson, you will have a fully assembled seat frame, ready to support the subsequent upholstery layers. This is a hands-on session that will enhance your woodworking skills and bring you one step closer to completing your custom upholstered seat bench!

  • The Upholstery Build Up

    Part 5: Upholstery Build Up: Webbing, Hessian & Edge Roll

    We delve into the essential first steps of upholstery—applying webbing, hessian, and edge roll. These components are crucial to provide both structure to your bench. We will start by learning how to properly install webbing, which creates a supportive foundation. We then apply a layer of hessian which helps protect the foam. Finally, we will apply the poly edge roll.

  • Upholstery Build Up

    Part 6: Upholstery Build Up: Foam & Wadding

    Now we are at the second stage of the upholstery build up. We will measure, cut, and attach the foam layers using the foam spray adhesive. Finishing with a layer of polyester wadding. These components are to add and comfort to your bench.

  • Applying You Fabric

    Part 7: Applying Your Fabric

    In this lesson, you'll learn how to apply fabric to the top of your seat base, covering the foam and wadding. After measuring and cutting the fabric to size, you'll staple it securely, starting from the center and working outward. You'll also fix the fabric firmly in place, fold the corners neatly, and trim any excess for a clean, smooth finish, preparing your seat for the next steps in your project.

  • Preparing Your Border

    Part 8: Seat Bench Border

    Learn how to apply the seat base border to your bench, starting with creating a single welting for the top edge. We’ll guide you through measuring and cutting the border panels, ensuring the pattern aligns perfectly. You’ll also learn how to attach the welting and back tack strip securely, giving your seat base a well-finished, structured edge ready for the next steps.

  • Closing Your Corners

    Part 9: Dust Cover & Closing Your Corners

    The final lesson in this course, you’ll learn how to apply the dust cover to the underside of your seat base, followed by slip stitching the corners for a neat, secure finish. After the fabric is stapled in place, you’ll focus on folding and stitching the corners to ensure they stay in place. With the dust cover applied and corners neatly finished, your seat base will be fully enclosed, completing your bench project!

  • Bonus "Level Up" Lesson

    Bonus "Level Up" Lesson

    In this bonus "Level Up" class, you’ll learn how to add a decorative frilly skirt to your seat bench for an extra touch of charm. We’ll guide you through the process of creating pleats, attaching welting, and adding a frill for a soft, flowing finish. Whether you’re looking to add texture or a playful detail, this lesson will show you how to give your bench a unique, customised look with a stylish frilly skirt.